She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 474 - 472: I Should Go Back Early

Chapter 474: Chapter 472: I Should Go Back Early

Afterward, Princess Fu no longer mentioned Ye Xinyan’s marriage matters and continued to lead Madam Yin and her daughter around the garden, occasionally describing to them the garden’s splendid appearance during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons.

Ye Xinyan’s interest in the lanterns didn’t wane, but Madam Yin was clearly somewhat absent-minded. Fortunately, before long, the group emerged from the garden.

It’s unclear whether it was because Han Yufang’s group was uninterested in the unlit lanterns, but by the time Princess Fu and her two companions entered the Flower Hall, Madam Tian’s group had already been seated there for a while, appearing to have returned some time ago.

Madam Tian was chatting and laughing over tea with Madam Jiang and several other middle-aged noblewomen. Han Yufang, on the other hand, was gathered with some young ladies she knew, chattering about something. Upon seeing Ye Xinyan enter, their hostility didn’t diminish, and Han Yufang didn’t forget to give her a fierce glare as she spoke.

Ye Xinyan felt even more puzzled by the glare—what kind of deep grudge was this?

Princess Fu, of course, saw that disdainful look from Han Yufang and said to Ye Xinyan in a low voice, "Xinyan, when you go back, think hard about where you might have offended that young lady. She’s always been lively and cheerful, not the kind to hold grudges or be antagonistic without reason. It’s possible that you really did something wrong."

Ye Xinyan replied with an "Oh" and quipped, "Or maybe Miss Han is the one with her own unresolved feelings, mistaking them for grievances against this little woman. That’s also possible."

Princess Fu laughed and said, "Since you’ve come back this time, you haven’t shown your face much in the inner courtyards. Although many people say that Miss Ye has become more gentle and graceful, there are still those who say you are still brash and unyielding. Now it seems, Xinyan, you still refuse to suffer losses. That’s good, having a straightforward character, speaking openly about issues—it indeed makes interactions with you quite comfortable."

She then turned to Madam Yin, "The wife of the heir apparent needs to properly discipline Xinyan. In the future, you should not always use the self-address of ’little woman’ when speaking. Our Xinyan is still young; she resides at Duke An’s Mansion waiting for marriage and has a bright future ahead—she is not planning to live out her days as a married woman."

Madam Yin repeatedly agreed, her eyes showing genuine gratitude towards Princess Fu.

During this stroll in the garden, Princess Fu had successfully completed her mission. After greeting the guests both inside and outside the hall, she sat back in the host seat with a light heart and chatted leisurely with several high-ranking ladies.

After that, Princess Fu kept Ye Xinyan by her side the entire time, even at the banquet. Ye Xinyan’s seat was very close to Princess Fu’s, and her attitude was affectionate with a hint of familiarity. This left many of the guests at the Spring Welcome Banquet quite astonished, wondering when Miss Ye of the Ye Family had become so close with Princess Fu.

Two tables away, Han Yufang glared spitefully at Ye Xinyan’s back, so angry she was almost in tears.

Among the guests, Old Lady Li and Old Lady Pei maintained their composure, but understood the implications. It seemed that Miss Ye truly had promise, now catching the attention of people like Prince Fu who saw potential in her.

During the middle of the banquet, a dish made with cheese was served.

As everyone savored the dish and marveled at the rich flavor of the unusual ingredient newly popular in the capital, Princess Fu timely brought up the subject of cheese. She mentioned Ye Xinyan’s dairy farm and Dairy Products Store that she started in Yuyuan Prefecture, praising her achievements over the past two years. It was as if Ye Xinyan’s previous actions of escaping from Duke An’s Mansion didn’t exist, and instead, she was given an assignment to venture out and develop her business.

Ye Xinyan’s seat at the banquet was quite close to the front, with only Old Lady Pei sitting between her and Princess Fu. Praise from Princess Fu was a great honor for anyone, yet it made Ye Xinyan extremely uncomfortable. She had to keep making expressions of bashfulness or shyness to respond to what Princess Fu said.

Fortunately, Princess Fu also understood dining etiquette and with just a few words, she clarified the intentions of Prince Fu’s Mansion. It seemed as if Ye Xinyan was already under their protection.

After the meal, Ye Xinyan stayed with Princess Fu, listening to an actress recite a few passages and playing a few rounds of Ye Zi cards. It was almost the Shen Hour by the time the banquet at Prince Fu’s Mansion ended.

Duke An’s Mansion always stayed out of factions, and after Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan visited Prince Fu’s Mansion for the banquet, they had to report back to Duke An. Madam Yin went to see the Duchess in her room, while Ye Xinyan went to report to Duke An.

When Ye Xinyan relayed her visit to Prince Fu’s Mansion, Duke An did not avoid speaking openly in front of her, saying directly, "It seems Prince Fu wants to use marriage to have his officials’ sons marry you, so that you’ll serve his purposes in the future."

Ye Xinyan forced a smile. Judging by this, Prince Fu must have taken great care to inquire about her abilities, knowing she was not just a name, and that’s why he was arranging these things. The son of the Prefect of Liaoyuan, a young man in his early twenties who was already a successful candidate, came to the capital to take the imperial examinations and was considered a talented individual. To have such a man marry her, a divorcee with a tarnished reputation, was truly unfair.

"To win over a manager, they are willing to let a promising young gentleman waste his youth. Even if Prefect Shen is from Prince Fu’s faction, this would still be an awkward matter to handle," she said.

Duke An laughed and shook his head, with a look of approbation, "Don’t belittle yourself. For an up-and-coming family, compared to your current talents and abilities, those rumors are not worth mentioning. You’ve only been back for a little over a month, and many of the aristocratic clans do not know you well. If they were to find out all about your achievements these past two years, there would be plenty of them coming to ask for your hand in marriage."

Is this... something to be proud of?

Ye Xinyan looked poorly and with resentment at Duke An, saying, "Grandfather, if it is really as you say, I truly cannot bear this trouble. The New Year has passed, and I should return to Yuyuan Prefecture soon. I am not someone’s servant or maid, why should I work for others for free?

You know that when I worked for His Highness Prince Yu, I was paid for every job I did. If I really married into a family, I’d spend my whole life working for free to earn silver for others. Instead of working for someone else, I’d rather stay at home, work for my own family, and earn a fortune." At least the silver she earned would be her own, instead of working her whole life for Prince Fu’s faction.

Unexpectedly, Duke An did not oppose what Ye Xinyan said and even nodded his head, "What you’re saying is not wrong. Nevertheless, we should arrange the trip after the first month of the lunar year. I will assign more servants and guards to escort you to Qingyuan County. Let me make it clear now, you should stay in Yuyuan Prefecture for no more than a year, settle your affairs there, and then return. The foundation of your abilities and where you can exert your influence is still in the capital."

Exert influence in the capital? Ye Xinyan argued, "Grandfather, the businesses I am handling now are a dairy farm and a Dairy Products Store. They would not thrive as well in the capital."

Duke An laughed meaningfully, "We’ll discuss that when you come back. You surely wouldn’t want to spend your life tending to two small businesses in a small county like Qingyuan County."

Ye Xinyan gave the old master an extra skeptical look; why did she feel there was much hidden meaning in his laughter?